| Update Applicable to: | Effective Date |
| All Entity doing Business in California that Store or Process Personal Information of California Residents | January 1, 2026 |
What happened?
On August 2025, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 446 (SB 446), introducing new data breach notification requirements for businesses operating in the state. The bill is currently enrolled and awaiting the Governor’s signature.
Overview:
What’s Changing: SB 446 replaces California’s vague standard for breach notifications with clear deadlines:
- Businesses must notify affected individuals within 30 calendar days of discovering or being informed of a data breach.
- If the breach affects more than 500 California residents, a sample notice must be submitted to the Attorney General within 15 calendar days of notifying consumers.
Why It Matters:
- The 30-day deadline may challenge businesses conducting complex investigations.
- Failure to meet the deadline is considered automatic evidence of a violation.
- Businesses subject to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may face:
- Regulatory fines of up to $7,988 per violation.
- Civil lawsuits with damages ranging from $107 to $799 per person, or actual damages.
Source References
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